Connoisseur Selling SD Cluster To Employee Group
• Connoisseur Media announced that it has entered into an agreement to spin off its Brookings, SD radio stations to Brookings Radio, LLC, locally owned and operated by current Market Manager Cami Powers, her husband Derrick Powers, and Brookings Radio Business Manager Chad Hogie.
Brookings Radio, LLC will acquire Full Service KBRK-AM & Hot AC KBRK-FM (B93.7), licensed to Brookings, SD, Classic Rock KDBX-FM (107.1 The Hawk) licensed to Clear Lake, SD, and Country KKQQ-FM (K-Country 102.3) & Classic Country KJJQ-AM (910 The Ranch), licensed to Volga, SD.
“The Brookings market did not fit into the long-term vision we set out for Connoisseur. As we pursued a potential sale, we looked for local quality operators to purchase these stations and found that the best operators in the market already worked for us!” said Jeff Warshaw, Founder & CEO of Connoisseur Media. “This is not the first time we have encouraged some of our local management to break into ownership so that they could continue to serve the communities we are so committed to. We are incredibly happy that Cami and her group stepped up to the challenge.”
Cami Powers began her career in radio sales with KBRK-AM and KBRK-FM in 1994. She was promoted to Sales Manager in 1998 and Station Manager in 2000. In April 2024, KKQQ-FM, KJJQ-AM and KDBX-FM were added to the cluster to form Brookings Radio, where Powers serves as Market Manager.
“Turning this dream into a reality has been incredibly meaningful, and I’m deeply grateful to Jeff and Connoisseur Media for the opportunity,” Powers remarked. “I’m fortunate to do what I love alongside a team of dedicated professionals who share that same passion. Together, we’ll continue building on what we value most — serving our clients, listeners, and community with trusted, locally focused broadcasting.
“To us, local radio has always been the life blood for a close-knit community,” said Hogie, who has served as Brookings Radio Business Manager since 2015. “From local sports, news, weather updates and community involvement, we want our listeners and advertisers to be as informed and invested in our neighborhoods as we are. Radio is always on, always free, a no-subscription, no-password source of entertainment and information for everyone. We are excited to keep it that way!”
The transaction is pending regulatory approval by the FCC and is expected to close in early summer of this year.
Connoisseur Media had legal representation by Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, while Brookings Radio, LLC was represented by Attorney Jared Gass.
